Thursday, September 17, 2009

Cadbury's switch

Cadbury's switch to Fairtrade will make a difference to poor farmers26 Aug 09

Cadbury’s decision to use Fairtrade cocoa in its popular dairy milk chocolate bars is a compelling example of the difference consumers have made to the plight of poor farmers in the developing world.

Chocolate lovers in the UK are already enjoying the guilt-free taste of Cadbury’s Fairtrade dairy milk bar, and Oxfam congratulates Cadbury in New Zealand and Australia for giving consumers more Fairtrade chocolate to choose from. When Kiwi shoppers buy a Fairtrade labelled product they are ensuring that producers and growers in the developing world get a fair price for their goods.

“It just goes to show how much power we have as consumers,” says Barry Coates, Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director. “For a major chocolate manufacturer like Cadbury to go Fairtrade is a real tribute to everyone who has been supporting the Fairtrade campaign globally. The more we ask for Fairtrade products, the more supermarkets, cafes and manufacturers will have to listen.”

Sales of Fairtrade Certified products including coffee, tea and chocolate reached NZ$10.5 million in 2008 – an increase of more than 50 per cent from 2007.

Cadbury’s switch to Fairtrade will triple the quantity of Fairtrade products available in New Zealand once the dairy milk bars reach the shelves by Easter next year. Cadbury’s move means than Fairtrade chocolate will be available in almost every supermarket and dairy across New Zealand.

“With the Fairtrade market in New Zealand booming, farmers can sell their coffee, tea and cocoa to New Zealand importers at a decent price, and as a result have income to support their families and communities. Oxfam is also working with New Zealand companies and producers in the Pacific to expand the range of Fairtrade products for New Zealanders to choose from.”

The Fairtrade movement has been one of the most powerful responses to the plight of producers in developing countries who have long been excluded from the benefits of international trade. An impressive 7.5 million people from 59 developing countries now benefit from the Fairtrade system.

“Cadbury is showing real leadership and we hope other New Zealand food manufacturers will follow suit. We will continue to encourage Cadbury and other chocolate manufacturers to source all of their ingredients for all of their chocolate from Fairtrade sources where available.“

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